William J. Payne, Jr., 70, of Murray, died Friday, November 11, 2016, 12:30 a.m., at Murray Calloway County Hospital in Murray, KY.

He was a lifetime member of Rosary Chapel Catholic Church where he had served as Lector, was on the Finance Committee, in the Men's Ministry, and on the Parish Council. He was a retired transportation logistics manager, a graduate of both the St. Mary's Academy and Murray State University where he received his Bachelor of Science Degree in accounting. Mr. Payne was a Veteran of the U.S. Army. He served as a 1st Lieutenant in Vietnam and was honorably discharged in 1971.

He is survived by his wife of 16 years, (Dr.) Pearl A. Payne of Murray; sister, Frances (Elmer) Pullen, Brookport, IL; brothers, Gary (Dianne), Lexington, KY, Ronald (Linda) Payne, Pickerington, OH, and Mark (Nora) Anaheim, CA; Nieces and Nephews: Jahmal (Angela) Pullen, Janelle (Corey) McNeal, Lucretia Payne (Irving) Anderson, Ryan Payne, Lauren Payne ,Cynthia Payne, and Elliot Payne, plus a host of Tharpe nieces and nephews and both Payne and Tharpe great-nieces and nephews and cousins throughout the South and Mid-West.

He was preceded in death by parents, William J. Payne, Sr. and Sara Cooper Payne.

A funeral service is scheduled for Wednesday, November 16, 2016, 1:00 p.m., at Rosary Chapel Catholic Church, with Father Stan Puryear officiating. Burial with military honors will follow on Friday, November 18, 12:30 p.m., in Mound City National Cemetery in Mound City, Illinois.

Visitation with the family will be at Rosary Chapel on Tuesday, November 15, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Rosary Chapel Men's Ministry and the Rosary Chapel Women's Ministry, 711 Ohio Street, Paducah, KY 42003.